As the weather shifts into fall, it can be a calm and exciting time to redecorate your home. After all, who wouldn’t like to relax in a comfy house with a hot cup of tea or coffee in their favorite sofa or chair? Talking about favorite chair or sofa…….. Have you seen the latest …

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The word “budget” is one most consumers hate to talk about; hence they avoid this topic by any means necessary for numerous reasons. Here are the three (3) common reasons consumers fear budgets: It makes them feel nervous to venture into the unknown They simply don’t want to face reality They think a budget requires …

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This is a common question faced by many homeowners that recently updated their flooring from carpet to hardwood. To help you all out, I’ve put together this article as a guide to help you select a hardwood floors friendly vacuum that avoids scratching. Hardwood flooring is now becoming a common MUST have on most …

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Methods: Wow, this project had me going through many emotions as part of me wanted to strip away the varnish and keep all beautiful natural elements. I went back and forth but decided to stick with my original plan of painting table with the jewel blue supreme chalk paint. Step # 1 – Gather …

As the weather shifts into fall, it can be a calm and exciting time to redecorate your home.

After all, who wouldn’t like to relax in a comfy house with a hot cup of tea or coffee in their favorite sofa or chair?

Talking about favorite chair or sofa…….. Have you seen the latest luxurious and hip velvet home furnishings lately?

Yes, you heard me right, velvet home furnishings.

And believe me….I’m not talking about your grandmother’s favorite velvet home furnishings!

There are some beautiful and luxurious velvet: ottomans, accent chairs, sofas, headboards, footboards and even throws and pillows.

Some of these décor pieces could take your breath away and they maynot even look like the traditional velvet.

To get an idea, why don’t you take a peak below……. Can you believe that all those sofas are indeed velvet!

Selecting the right furniture and upholstery can at times be a significant investment, so it’s important to choose something that you’ll love in years to come.

Have no fear….. I’m here to help and will let you in, on some of the most well-kept designer secrets!

Insider design tip # 1: Use a bold color for an accent chair if you intend to transform a room.

Insider design tip # 2: Use pillows and throws to add color or soften bright color furniture with neutral accessories such as throws and pillows.

Insider design tip # 3: Don’t be afraid to reupholster an existing sofa or chair. This gives you the option of selecting the exact fabric that suits YOU!

Insider design tip # 4: Sometimes less is more. If there is a new design trend you love, you don’t have to go all out!

If you love velvet, you could opt to use touches of velvet instead of large furniture pieces. This could allow you to easily and inexpensively swap them out if you get tired of them and require a quick change. See touches of velvet pieces below:

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The word “budget” is one most consumers hate to talk about; hence they avoid this topic by any means necessary for numerous reasons.

Here are the three (3) common reasons consumers fear budgets:

It makes them feel nervous to venture into the unknown

They simply don’t want to face reality

They think a budget requires impossible sacrifices that will affect their lifestyle

But a budget doesn’t have to be that way. Budgets can actually be fun and very rewarding…..

Here is a simple but rewarding way to set up a successful budget.
1. Gather all your monthly bills (credit card statements, store credit cards, loans, car loan statement and utilities bills etc.)

Be sure to include onetime spending such as: Entertainment, Vacations, Special Holidays, Birthdays and Christmas Gifts. Estimate your yearly spending for these special occasions then divide them by twelve to get the amount to be included in your monthly budget.

Now, don’t forget your savings, actually this should be accounted for before expenses. And yes, your savings is not negotiable! It could be a fixed amount or at least 3-5% percentage of your monthly salary.

Create two bill payment folders. Label one folder bills due 1-15th of each month and the second folder, bills due 15-31st of each month.

Pay your bills twice per month preferably on the 1st and 15th of each month or align with your salary pay schedule. Paying bills twice per month creates a pattern of consistency instead of operating haphazardly, hence missing payments. The estimated time is approximately 30 minutes twice per month to organize, pay and record all bill payments.

Use a monthly budget tracking form; such as excel, a free online budget planner or a simple writing journal. To get a FREE copy of our budget tracking sheet, send an email to: service@bankforeclosurehouseprices.com.

Key: a good budget tracking sheet should have a blank column where you can list all your bills by due date. Plus the following columns: payment amount, type of expense, date bill paid, amount paid, outstanding balance owing, interest rate, interest paid, principal paid and the purpose of the loan.

Add up your total income. Subtract total expenses and forced savings. If your expenses are well below your monthly income, you’re in good shape! If on the other hand, your expenses exceed your income, you may need to cut your expenses or seek professional help from a financial planner.

Be sure to tally your total amount paid in interest every month. This could be a real shocker….. Especially if you’re paying mostly interest every month and very little principal.

Every month plan to spend at least one hour with your bills, calculator and budget planner to get organized for the next month. It’s best to plan for the upcoming month between the 24th -28th of current month. This will ensure you’re always a step ahead and well organized when the new month arrives.

Make sure you are constantly accessing your balance owing, interest rate, interest paid and purpose of loans. If your interest rates are on the high side, this may be a good opportunity to negotiate the interest rate with your bank or consider other banks or credit union with lower interest rate.

There you have it… simple, but rewarding way to set up a successful budget!

Before making any upgrades, it’s always a good idea to speak with a local Realtor in your area to get a professional advice as to your potential return on your investment.

Everyone loves gleaming hardwood floors, but having hardwood floor is only half the battle. Well maintained floor could really set your home apart from others. So how do you keep your hardwood floors clean and free from scratch and dents?

I’ve put together my most common and useful hardwood floor care toolkit for you below, I hope you enjoy….

Hardwood Floor Care Toolkit and Steps:

Vacuum hardwood floors to clean and remove dust without scratching or denting using your special hardwood floor vacuum.

Use a soft damp mop with a natural mixture of water, soft soap, vinegar and your favourite scent such as: vanilla.

Why should you have a special vacuum for hardwood floors?

Are you aware that most vacuums were created to handle carpet cleaning only?

Here are a few reasons why a regular vacuum may not clean and care for your hardwood floors properly:

Thick bristle roller brushes are found in most vacuums and could scratch your beautiful hardwood floors. These are normally hard and pointed.

Most carpet cleaning vacuums have plastic wheels, which could scratch and scrape your hardwood floors.

Wow, this project had me going through many emotions as part of me wanted to strip away the varnish and keep all beautiful natural elements. I went back and forth but decided to stick with my original plan of painting table with the jewel blue supreme chalk paint.

Step # 1 – Gather all required painting supplies for this project.

Step # 2 – Clean and prep furniture

Wipe down dining room table and chairs with a lint free rag. (If the furniture is dirty, you can use a solution of: water, soap and a bit of vinegar). Be sure to allow your furniture to dry completely, before painting.

Step # 3 – Re-upholstery chairs.

To utilise time wisely, we like to tackle our cushion seats while we wait for the chairs to dry. The easiest way to re-upholster a chair cushion is to lay the fabric down and put the cushion on top. Be sure to straighten your fabric and cut to line up with your design pattern. Take your staple gun and staple the fabric to the cushion. The picture in the far right is what the finish product looks like. It doesn’t have to be neat, remember the bottom will be screwed down to the chair, and won’t be visible.

Step # 4 – Prep table and paint.

Step # 5 – Use a bit of dark wax or shoe polish to make the pieces appear vintage. To add extra dramatic effect, add a bit of white paint and use a link free rag to rub in white paint. Once finish use a clear wax or shoe polish clear finish to protect paint.

Accessories List

Methods:

Step # 1 – Envision how you would like your dining room table to look at the end.

Step # 2 – Gather all required painting supplies for this project.

Not sure what is needed to redo a dining room table? Checkout our material list above.

Step # 3 – Clean and prep furniture

Wipe down dining room table and chairs with a lint free rag. (If the furniture is dirty, you can use a solution of : water, soap and a bit of vinegar). Be sure to allow your furniture to dry completely, before painting.

Step # 4 – Remove cushion from chair

Turn the chairs over and remove screws that fasten the seats.

Step # 5 – Paint chairs

This is where NOT being an expert painter works! Chalk paint works well even if you’re a beginner. Insider trick: as you paint, use a soft lint free damp cloth to clean up as you go along. Allow 2- 4 hours for your chairs to dry completely.

Step # 6 – Re-upholstery chairs.

To utilize time wisely, we like to tackle our cushion seats while we wait for the chairs to dry. The easiest way to re-upholster a chair cushion is to lay the fabric down and put the cushion on top. You can measure by pulling a piece of the fabric over the cushion to see where it falls and then cut. Be sure to straighten your fabric and cut to line up with your design pattern. Take your staple gun and staple the fabric to the cushion.

Step # 7– Examine your finish re-upholster

This is what the finish product looks like. It doesn’t have to be neat, remember the bottom will be screwed down to the chair, so it won’t be visible. The picture to the right is the finished side which will be visible. At this point, you’ve earned some brownie points, so take a break or have a snack:)

If you need help selecting that perfect chalk paint colour, why not try “What Not To Renovate Supreme Chalk Paint”, our collection has over 41 different colours for you to choose from. Contact us and one of our friendly design associates will be happy to help!

Step # 9 – Now that you’ve painted and your dining room table is all done it’s time to set the stage!

Hope this blog helps!

What do you think about this makeover?

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Not sure what is needed to redo a dining room table? Checkout our material list below.

Step # 3 – Clean and prep furniture

Wipe down dining room table and chairs with a lint free rag. (If the furniture is dirty, you can use a mixer of water, soap and a bit of vinegar). Allow furniture to dry, before painting.

Step # 4 – Remove cushion from chair

Turn the chairs over and remove screws that fasten the seats.

Step # 5 – Paint chairs

This is where NOT being an expert painter works! Chalk paint works well even if you’re a beginner. Insider trick: as you paint use a soft lint free damp cloth to clean up as you go along. Allow 2- 4 hours for your chairs to dry.

Step # 6 – Redo chair upholstery

To utilize time wisely, we like to tackle our cushion seats while we wait for the chairs to dry. The easiest way to re-upholster a chair cushion is to lay the fabric down and put the cushion on top. You can measure by pulling a piece of the fabric over the cushion to see where it falls and then cut. Be sure to straighten your fabric and cut to line up with your design pattern. Take your staple gun and staple the fabric to the cushion.

Step # 7– Examine your finish reupholster

This is what the finish product looks like. It doesn’t have to be neat, remember the bottom will be screwed down to the chair, so it won’t be visible. The picture to the right is the finished side which will be visible. At this point, you’ve earned some brownie points, so take a break or have a snack:)

Paint Kitchen Cabinets – One of the most popular trends is the Rustoleum cabinet kit as it’s easy to use and economical. The Rustoleum cabinet kit has detailed step by video instruction in the kit to help.

4. Add Backsplash – Most backsplash area has limited square footage of around 10 – 40 square feet. If you purchase tiles for approx. $10 per square foot this could keep your budget down.

5. Update or Replace Countertop – We know what you’re thinking…. You’re probably thinking replacing countertops will be expensive. The good news, there are options to keep your budget economical. Checkout the Rustoleum Countertop kit that’s gaining popularity because it’s economical and easy to use.

Another option is laminate, the design and quality has improved over the years and they even have some new beautiful stone look at affordable prices. Visitwww.Homedepot.com or www.Lowes.com for options.

7. Change Old and Dirty Switch Plates – This is one of the most economical tip that sadly most homeowners miss. Nothing says dated than an updated kitchen with old switch plates. Switch plates can be purchased starting at a dollar each, so for a few dollars go for it! You can try swapping out old and dirty plates for new white or stainless steel ones.

1. If you need your kitchen installed quickly, you can usually visit a location to select, order and have the items picked up or delivered to your home in 5 – 10 days.

2. The cost can be inexpensive.

3. If your home or condo’s resale value is in a lower price range, it’s probably wise to select a basic cabinet. This could help to keep your cost down and maximize your return on investment. Consult with a local Realtor and Home Appraiser before making a decision. The advice from your local experts could save you thousands if you decide to sell in the near future.

Cons:

1. The available options are limited.

2. The cabinets are not assembled and are in boxes, so you will need to get them assembled and installed on your own.

3. It may appear that you’ve saved money on the purchase price, but watch out for assembly and installation cost. Before making a purchase decision, get estimates for the assembly and installation.

4. The cabinets may not fit in your wall space perfectly, so watch out for corners and awkward spaces.

5. Particle board and MDF are two common materials used for stock cabinets. They are susceptible to water and have a shorter life span than plywood and wood.

Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinetry– The most popular stores for semi-custom kitchen cabinets are Lowes and Home Depot.

1. Hundreds of available options for your selection with varying prices.

2. Your order is manufactured and assembled for you, all you have to do is install.

3. They could fill in your wall space with the use of fillers.

4. Semi-custom kitchen cabinets might work best for you if your renovation timeline is within a month, as delivery could be within two or three weeks.

Cons:

1. With all the available options, the cost can be a little less or more than custom cabinets.

2. Be sure to verify the delivered time frame with your store as some locations have long delivery wait periods.

3. Verify the re-delivery and return process if order is incorrect.

Custom Kitchen Cabinetry–are designed based on your specific kitchen requirements. The making process could be seen as a form of art for most artisans.You have the options of selecting: the layout, cabinet size variations, color, materials, finishes and decorative features.

1. The available options are endless. You can create almost anything. It’s easy to incorporate:pots drawers, oversized cupboards and pull-out pantries.

2. Customized to fit you space perfectly and are delivered and installed for you.

3. They usually have extended warranty and live after sales support to answer your questions.

4. Custom cabinets typically use sturdier construction and joinery methods. They often use dovetail joints that interlock pieces of wood to distribute weight and stress evenly. Stock cabinets may not distribute weight and stress evenly because they: bolt, nut, and nail.

5. Refinishing is possible with real wood cabinets.

Cons:

1. Depending on the style, finishes and features that you’ve selected, it can get very expensive. The good news is, you have control on what you order or don’t order.

2. Custom cabinets have long lead times and could take on average 6-8 weeks.

If you don’t know where to begin,hire a kitchen design expert.They know all the ins and outs of the different products and usually have access to insider binders with several available price ranges and options.Designing kitchen cabinets can be lots of fun, hiring a kitchen designer could save you time and even some will pass along their insider pricing to help you create a kitchen that beautifully reflects your lifestyle.